I just picked up what I suspect is a mail-order, self-assembly-kit tackhead (but not one of Brian Carver's I don't think). The head is tearing through the tacks and so I'll be resetting or replacing that soon (the bridge flops over if it's tuned up and played for 60 seconds).
There are plenty of posts, articles, and videos about mounting the first head and a tiny number about replacing one. But should I be re-using the old tack-holes as-is? Or filling them with something before re-using? Or just drilling new pilot holes between the original holes (and letting the new skin hide the old holes)?
Thanks in advance!
BTW, Brian has recently had a bit of misfortune in that a passing car drove right into his house. He's ok, but his office is missing half a wall. There are a couple news-vids on his YouTube channel.
Good grief, helluva thing that happened to Brian.
Hopefully you will get some experienced replies about how to go about remounting the tackhead, particularly with respect to the existing holes.
One option you might try is something I did when building my Carver kit, which is described in this archived thread "tackless tackhead":
banjohangout.org/archive/381640
Rather than using upholstery tacks, I used #4 brass wood screws and #6 brass finishing cup washers. This should work fine with your rim, even if making use of existing tack holes for piloting the wood screws.
Before locking everything down with the screws, I applied glue to the top and edge of the rim and tucked the wet skin through a band of hose clamps around the circumference. Then I used dental floss across the back to tension the skin and pull everything smooth.
This technique worked really well and I can recommend it -- whether you go with the screws or with tacks again.
Edited by - Silver_Falls on 05/15/2025 12:38:36
I’ll pay attention always curious about this
You could reach out to Jeff Menzies he’s a great guy and specialist in this building process
